Tornado-in-a-bottle
Grades 2, 6, and 8 (Ontario)
Elementary cycles 2 and 3 (Quebec)
Tornados, whirlpools, even galaxies are all vortexes. Explain how they work with this fun and simple tornado-in-a-bottle.
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Curriculum links
Grade 2
Science and technology: Understanding matter and energy
- Properties of Liquids and Solids
- Investigate the properties of liquids
- Identify objects in the natural and built environments as solids or liquids
- Describe the properties of solids and liquids
Science and technology: Understanding Earth and space systems
- Air and water in the environment
- Investigate, through experimentation, the characteristics of air
- Investigate, through experimentation, the characteristics of water
Grade 6
Science and technology: Understanding structures and mechanisms
- Flight
- Use scientific inquiry/experimentation skills to investigate the properties of air
Grade 8
Science and technology: Understanding Matter and Energy
- Fluids
- Use scientific inquiry/experimentation skills to identify factors that affect the flow rates of various fluids
Elementary cycle 2
Science and technology: Earth and space
- Matter
- Properties and characteristics of matter on Earth
- Soil, water and air
- Properties and characteristics of matter on Earth
Elementary cycle 2 and 3
Science and Technology: Earth and space
- Systems and Interaction
- Meteorological systems (e.g., clouds, precipitation, storms) and climate
Materials
- 2 x 2L pop bottles (empty)
- Water
- Food colouring
- Glitter, beads or other small decorative items (optional)
- Masking or duct tape (optional: purchase a bottle connector from an educational supply store)
Procedure
- Fill one of the pop bottles, leaving a few inches of space at the top.
- Put a few drops of food colouring into the bottle.
- Add any glitter, beads or other small decorative items.
- Connect the two bottles at their necks, using masking or duct tape, or a purchased bottle connector.
- Turn the attached bottles over, while gently rotating the entire assembly. Observe and record what happens!
Suggestions for art activities
Have students draw pictures of their own tornado-in-a-bottle. Make it a multimedia project by having them glue glitter, beads, sequins and other small items to the picture.
Print colour-copies of our tornado-in-a-bottle and experiment with collage techniques. Give students photographs of themselves, so that they can really get “into” the picture!
Have students observe their tornado-in-a-bottle and write down the words that come to mind (e.g., rushing, swirling, etc.), then have them write a poem inspired by their science.
What else could your class do with a tornado-in-a-bottle? We can’t wait to see what they come up with!
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